Brian Sims
Brian Kendall Sims (born September 16, 1978) is an American Democratic politician and football captain. He was the first college American football captain to come out as gay.[1] He is also the first openly gay person elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly.[2] He was a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania in the 2022 election.
Brian Sims | |
|---|---|
 Sims speaking in 2021 | |
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 182nd district | |
| Assumed office December 1, 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Babette Josephs |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Brian Kendall Sims September 16, 1978 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
| Education | Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania (BS) Michigan State University (JD) |
Life
Sims's parents were both colonels in the U.S. Army. He has a twin brother, an older brother, and a younger sister. He went to high school in Chester County, Pennsylvania.[3]
Sims has a bachelor of science degree from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. He also has a juris doctor degree from the Michigan State University College of Law.[4]
At Bloomsburg, Sims was the captain of the 2000 National Championship Division II football team. He was a first-string defensive tackle. He became the only openly gay college football captain in NCAA history.[3]
Sims was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 182nd District. Sims was the first openly gay person elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly.[2]
In June 2013, the Defense of Marriage Act was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Sims was not allowed to make a speech supporting the decision in the Pennsylvania House.[5] House Speaker Daryl Metcalfe, a Republican, said that allowing him to speak would be a violation of God's law.[6] In May 2019, Sims posted an eight minute video of himself confronting a woman who was protesting outside a Planned Parenthood facility in Philadelphia by praying with a rosary. On May 15, 2019 he was served a summons for federal case 5:19-cv-00834 at his office on Chestnut Street. On July 15, 2019 at 3:00 PM the Default judgement entered on June 18, 2019 was used as collateral for trying to help Hahnemann Hospital stay open case # 19-11466 Delaware Bankruptcy Court.
On February 15, 2021 Sims announced on Twitter that he was running for lieutenant governor in the 2022 election.[7] He lost the Democratic nomination in May 2022 to Austin Davis.
References
- ↑ "CPL Pennsylvania: Brian Sims". Center for Progressive Leadership. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Gay Politics — Pennsylvania to get first openly gay state legislator". Gaypolitics.com. April 24, 2012. Archived from the original on December 17, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Family Portrait: Brian Sims". Philadelphia Gay News. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
- ↑ "Sims sworn in to legislature". Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Retrieved September 10, 2013.[dead link]
- ↑ Reilly, Mollie. "Brian Sims, Pennsylvania Lawmaker, Silenced On DOMA By Colleagues Citing 'God's Law'". Huffington Post. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
- ↑ Arana, Gabriel (August 27, 2013). "Brian Sims Wants to Fix Pennsylvania". The American Prospect. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
- ↑ Towle, Andy (February 15, 2021). "Out Lawmaker Brian Sims Announces Run for Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania: WATCH". Towleroad Gay News. Archived from the original on February 15, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
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